Will Interior Wall Insulation Provide Soundproofing?
Most people understand the thermal benefits that insulation offers, but a common question many people have is ‘will adding insulation reduce noise?’
The short answer is yes. Any insulation provides some sound reducing qualities but for the best results specialised acoustic insulation should be installed. Acoustic insulation can be installed almost anywhere in the home, the most common and effective place being the internal walls.
How do you insulate an interior wall for sound?
Interior walls can be insulated with acoustic wall batts to reduce sound throughout the home. Acoustic wall batts are pre-cut to fit between the timber framing of most Australian homes and can be installed by a professional or as a DIY project. During installation, the batts should be pushed between the wall joists so that no gaps are left. It is also important that the batts are not compressed during installation. Both gaps and compression can compromise the effectiveness of wall insulation.
Once interior walls have been insulated with acoustic insulation, sounds within rooms will be clearer, and will not travel as easily from one room to another. To reduce noises from the outdoors coming into the home, acoustic insulation should also be installed in the external walls. Furthermore, acoustic insulation in the floor or between floors of a double storey home can help reduce noises such as footsteps and loud appliances. If your home is under a flight path, you may also consider installing acoustic insulation in the roof to deaden the sound.
Types of acoustic wall insulation
In Australia, there are many brands which offer acoustic wall insulation. Choosing the right one for your needs will depend on several factors including your budget, environmental and health concerns and material preferences. Those who would like both excellent thermal and acoustic benefits should remember to look for acoustic products with higher R-Values.
Acoustic wall insulation is typically made from one of the following materials:
- Glasswool, which is manufactured from recycled glass materials. This is the most common insulation material used worldwide.
- Earthwool, which is a special type of glasswool manufactured by Knauf using innovative ECOSE technology. It is less itchy than traditional glasswool products and does not use any harsh chemicals in the manufacturing process.
- Polyester, which is manufactured from recycled plastic materials. Polyester has no breathable fibres and is a great choice for those with asthma or dust allergies.
Save energy with interior wall insulation
Aside from the acoustic benefits of interior wall insulation, did you know it can also help you save energy? Homes with insulated interior walls can create climate zones for more effective cooling and heating. For example, during the day if you spend most of your time in the living room, you can efficiently just cool that room with the air conditioner instead of the entire home. That is because the wall insulation will slow down heat transfer from the rest of the home into that room, keeping it nice and cool while saving you money on your power bill.
